Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

On September 5, 2017, President Trump directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to phase out and eventually end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) over two and half years. This website has been developed to provide NMSU system DACA students information and resources available to them. Keep checking this site for updates.

January 10, 2018 DACA UPDATE

A U.S. Federal judge has very recently opened up the process for DACA recipients (for what is possibly a limited time period.) The order temporarily stops the termination of the DACA program and directs USCIS to resume accepting certain DACA applications.

DACA recipients are urged to quickly re-apply if they are eligible. See the link below for detailed information. Individuals are urged to consult with a licensed immigration attorney. A partial list licensed immigration attorneys and immigration legal providers in New Mexico and

URGENT, as of September 5, 2017 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has been rescinded.

Effect on Initial applications for DACA: Applications for initial requests for DACA accepted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) by September 5, 2017 will be adjudicated on a case by case basis. If your did not submit a first time request for DACA before September 5th you are no longer able to do so.

Effect on Renewals of DACA:
If your renewal is currently pending it will be adjudicated on a case by case basis.
If your DACA expires between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018 you must submit your application for renewal by October 5, 2017.
If your DACA expires after March 5, 2018 at this time there is no way to renew.

Effect on Advanced Parole:
If you already have an approved advanced parole/travel document we do not recommend leaving the United States at this time.
If you have a pending request for advanced parole, USCIS will administratively close the request and return the filing fees.
If you have not filed a request for advanced parole there is no longer the option to do so at this time.

Regardless of your personal situation we strongly recommend that you meet with an immigration attorney as soon as possible to either submit an application for renewal by October 5, 2017 or determine if you have any other options available to you. DACA is still very much in flux but it is essential to determine if you have any other options available to you that are not dependent on DACA.